Five Wildcats ? tight end Jacob Tamme, linebacker Wesley Woodyard, quarterback Andr? Woodson, defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, and offensive tackle Garry Williams ? were named to the All-Southeastern Conference squad selected by league coaches.
Tamme (Danville, Ky.) and Woodyard (LaGrange, Ga.) are first-team selections, with Woodyard being one of only five unanimous choices on this year?s team. Woodson (Radcliff, Ky.), Jarmon (Collierville, Tenn.), and Williams (Louisville, Ky.) are second-team picks.
Tamme, Woodyard, and Woodson are repeating their honors from the 2006 season. Tamme is the first tight end in Kentucky history to be named first-team All-SEC for two seasons. (Note: the position name ?tight end? was first used at Kentucky in 1971. Prior to that, wide receivers and tight ends were known simply as ?ends.?) Woodyard is the first Wildcat linebacker to earn first-team All-SEC laurels for two seasons since Randy Holleran in 1988 and 1990. Woodson is the first UK QB to get consecutive All-SEC accolades since Tim Couch in 1997-98.
Here is more information on their seasons:
Tamme caught 53 passes for 584 yards and five touchdowns. He often was the go-to receiver in clutch situations, with crucial receptions in the wins over Louisville, LSU, and Vanderbilt. He is the all-time leading pass catcher among UK tight ends and second in SEC history.
Woodyard leads the SEC in tackles with 124 stops, his third consecutive season reaching the century mark in tackles. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week in the win at Arkansas. He has an active streak of 36 games with at least four tackles.
Woodson has thrown for 3,351 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading the SEC in both categories. He was named National Player of the Week following three games this season and set an NCAA record with 325 consecutive passes without an interception. He has led Kentucky to its first back-to-back seven-win seasons in 30 years.
Jarmon has nine quarterback sacks, second in the SEC in that category. For the season, he has 58 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, two fumbles caused, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. He was SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in the win at Vanderbilt.
Williams has blocked for an offense that has posted a school-record 440 points. UK also is averaging 438.6 total offensive yards per game, one of the best in school history. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week by the league office following the win over Florida Atlantic.
Brooks a Finalist for National Coach of the Year: Rich Brooks has been named one of 10 finalists for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, a national honor that recognizes accomplishments on and off the field of play and is presented with the support of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
After inheriting a program on a severe NCAA probation in 2003, Brooks has steadily rebuilt the program. Kentucky has posted a 7-5 record in 2007, and along with last year?s 8-5 mark, represent the first consecutive seven-win seasons for UK football in 30 years. Other accomplishments this year include:
The Wildcats reached the nation?s top-10 rankings for the first time in 30 years. UK reached the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) poll for the first time in school history. UK?s thrilling triple-overtime win over Louisiana State was the team?s first triumph over a No. 1-ranked team in 43 years. Victories over LSU and then-No. 9 Louisville marked the first time in 30 years that the Wildcats knocked off two top-10 teams in the same season. Kentucky is going to back-to-back bowl games for only the fourth time in school history. Kentucky set a school record for attendance, averaging more than 68,000 fans per game.
In addition to on-the-field achievements, the award also takes public-service activities into account. The Rich Brooks Foundation has benefited charities such as the Ronald McDonald House, Markey Cancer Center, Florence Crittenton Home, Camp Horsin? Around, Riding for Hope, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, Camp Quality Kentucky, Hospice of the Bluegrass, YMCA of Central Kentucky, and the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund. In addition, Brooks has been a visitor to patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital and is a blood donor.
Fans can help Brooks win the award by voting for him, from Dec. 5-15, at . The winning coach will receive $50,000 for his favorite charities, $20,000 for the school?s alumni association, a trophy, and recognition at a permanent exhibit at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.
Joining Brooks as a finalist are Sylvester Croom of Mississippi State, Paul Johnson of Navy, Mark Mangino of Kansas, Joe Paterno of Penn State, Mark Richt of Georgia, Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia, Jim Tressel of Ohio State, Tommy Tuberville of Auburn, and Ron Zook of Illinois.
In addition to the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year, Brooks also is on the watch lists for the Bear Bryant Award and Bobby Dodd Award for national coach of the year.
National Football Foundation Dinner to be Webcast on CSTV.com: The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame annual awards dinner will be a live webcast on CSTV.com from 7:15 to 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
UK?s Jacob Tamme is a finalist for the Draddy Award as the nation?s top scholar-athlete. The Draddy Award is expected to be announced between 8:15 and 9 p.m. EST.
